Murray Wood: What would our grandparents think about the return of measles?
Canada is losing ground to a dangerous and highly contagious virus that we had once virtually eradicated thanks to a vac...
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are now beginning to put in their final game plan of the season.
Saskatchewan, which is in the Grey Cup for the first time since 2013, held its first full practice of the week at Princess Auto Stadium on Wednesday.
As the team returned to the field, wide receiver KeeSean Johnson was on the field with the team for the early portion of practice. He did appear to leave the field for a portion. Johnson, who had 1,159 yards and four touchdowns en route to being named an All-CFLer for the first time in his career, has been out since Oct. 11 with a knee injury he suffered against the Toronto Argonauts.
Last week, Joe Robustelli was thrust into the lineup for the CFL West Final. The pass-catcher left the game early and did not return. He was not out at the first practice for the game.
Ajou Ajou, who missed last week with an ankle injury, was also back out on the field for the team.
While the Riders haven’t been to the Grey Cup in 12 years, this team does have plenty of players with big-game experience. That includes linebacker Jameer Thurman, who won the Grey Cup in 2018 as a member of the Calgary Stampeders.
“It feels great (to be back). It has been a long time coming, but I am excited to be back here and look forward to finishing the job,” Thurman said.
Thurman, who was named an All-CFLer this season, was a part of the Riders team that came close last year but ultimately lost in the CFL West Final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“I felt like it wasn’t our time because we didn’t get the job done,” Thurman said. “This year, going in with as many people as we have back this season, we knew that this was our year and we just had to go out there and take it.”
In this year’s West Final, the Riders stopped dynamic quarterback and likely CFL Most Outstanding Award winner B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke. They held him to 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but did surrender two rushing touchdowns to him as well. The Riders beat the Lions 24-21.
This week, the Riders will take on the Montreal Alouettes and quarterback Davis Alexander. Alexander brings a perfect 13-0 record as a starter into the game. That includes two playoff victories this season.
Thurman believes it comes down to the Riders’ defence and how they play in the game.
“(It’s about) what we allow them to do because they can’t do anything unless we allow them to,” he said.
Thurman believes it would mean a lot to the province if the team were able to bring a Grey Cup championship.
“It would mean so much to the fans from all the way south to the top, north to the east to the west, everyone pays attention to us. You can’t drive around without someone having a Riders’ license plate. I think it would mean a lot and go a long way,” Thurman said.
Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
